What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
a priori
Example
The statement 'all bachelors are unmarried' is an a priori truth. [a priori: adjective]
Example
She arrived at her conclusion through a priori reasoning rather than empirical evidence. [a priori: noun]
deductive
Example
In deductive reasoning, if the premises are true, then the conclusion must also be true. [deductive: adjective]
Example
She used deductive reasoning to arrive at her conclusion based on the given premises. [deductive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deductive is more commonly used than a priori in everyday language, especially in fields such as science and law. A priori is more commonly used in philosophy and mathematics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between a priori and deductive?
A priori is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, while deductive can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
